Leiden Centraal V
The registration was not a very daunting task it was over in a while. Soon afterwards we all set off to visit the city of Leiden with our hosts in a group. In a series of activities planned for the day by our hosts we were first taken on a boat trip through the extensive canals of the city. Our hosts spoke from time to time on the historic background of the structures that we passed by. There were new university campuses interspesed with the older structures of the town. Both undoubtedly bore marks of remarkable craftsmanship. Cameras clicked and photos taken of every place that was found to be of some importance. Strange how we feel a need to keep images safe in our minds and in our cameras at the same time. I find both unnecessary.
After two hour long boat trips through the canals we were taken to the famous city hall. Light lunch and snacks awaited us at this hall where destinies of many have been discussed and decided before us during the 80 year war. The atmosphere was congenial and everyone was enjoying to their full or so it seemed. Since we had ample time at our hand before the sun came desecending on the western horizon we were all taken to the Booerhaave museum in the city. it was an interesting tour that was of special interest to me as i got to see an original copy of the Noble Prize. A few of my touring fellows were however not impressed by the antiques at display and spent more time chatting and drinking in the cafe than having a look at the objects at hand.
The mayor of the town unexpectedly was a middle aged man with energy of a young man bundled into him. he had little pretense and was generous in welcoming us to his town when his turn came in the evening. He chatted with the participants and sepnt time amidst all of us. All in all a nice chap.
As the daylight gave way to the sorrounding darkness in the cosmos our day also came to an end but not before we had a filling chinese dinner. The hosts insisted that chinese food in Dutchland has a distinct taste to it not found in its native land. Well... i wouldnt comment on that_for good or worst.
The proceedings of the day were so hectic that almost everyone opted to dump in the hotel to get some sleep before the congress took its official start the next day. For me it was too long to be up and then again i was tired to the bones. in the chilly and ver very windy evening i set of to my hotel which was cozy and warm inside. the sleep came hurling inas soon as i dropped onto my bed.
The registration was not a very daunting task it was over in a while. Soon afterwards we all set off to visit the city of Leiden with our hosts in a group. In a series of activities planned for the day by our hosts we were first taken on a boat trip through the extensive canals of the city. Our hosts spoke from time to time on the historic background of the structures that we passed by. There were new university campuses interspesed with the older structures of the town. Both undoubtedly bore marks of remarkable craftsmanship. Cameras clicked and photos taken of every place that was found to be of some importance. Strange how we feel a need to keep images safe in our minds and in our cameras at the same time. I find both unnecessary.
After two hour long boat trips through the canals we were taken to the famous city hall. Light lunch and snacks awaited us at this hall where destinies of many have been discussed and decided before us during the 80 year war. The atmosphere was congenial and everyone was enjoying to their full or so it seemed. Since we had ample time at our hand before the sun came desecending on the western horizon we were all taken to the Booerhaave museum in the city. it was an interesting tour that was of special interest to me as i got to see an original copy of the Noble Prize. A few of my touring fellows were however not impressed by the antiques at display and spent more time chatting and drinking in the cafe than having a look at the objects at hand.
The mayor of the town unexpectedly was a middle aged man with energy of a young man bundled into him. he had little pretense and was generous in welcoming us to his town when his turn came in the evening. He chatted with the participants and sepnt time amidst all of us. All in all a nice chap.
As the daylight gave way to the sorrounding darkness in the cosmos our day also came to an end but not before we had a filling chinese dinner. The hosts insisted that chinese food in Dutchland has a distinct taste to it not found in its native land. Well... i wouldnt comment on that_for good or worst.
The proceedings of the day were so hectic that almost everyone opted to dump in the hotel to get some sleep before the congress took its official start the next day. For me it was too long to be up and then again i was tired to the bones. in the chilly and ver very windy evening i set of to my hotel which was cozy and warm inside. the sleep came hurling inas soon as i dropped onto my bed.
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